MassCEC Launches Climate Service Corps to Build Next-Generation Clean Energy Workforce

Greenfield, Mass. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration joined state leaders, educators, students, and community partners at Greenfield Community College (GCC) to launch the Climate Service Corps (CSC). The new program is designed to prepare young adults ages 18 to 24 for successful careers in the clean energy sector. Administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the CSC provides funding to organizations dedicated to building and scaling career pathway programs focused on energy efficiency, as well as clean heating and cooling solutions.

The Climate Service Corps was established in response to the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience’s 2023 report, Recommendations of the Climate Chief. The report lays out a comprehensive roadmap for the state’s whole-of-government approach to addressing climate challenges. The report emphasized that workforce development is central to the state’s transition to clean energy and called for the creation of a service corps to expand training and career opportunities for young people.

“Massachusetts is full speed ahead on creating good-paying, meaningful clean energy jobs! Today, MassCEC is making our vision for a Climate Service Corps a reality,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “Kudos to our hardworking team at MassCEC, and I can’t wait to see the good work these young people are going to do in the world!”

“The Climate Service Corps is an investment in both people and progress,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “By supporting organizations that train and mentor young adults for clean energy careers, we are building a workforce that is ready to meet the state’s growing needs and ensuring that clean energy reaches communities quickly, equitably, and effectively.”

Climate Service Corps programs will prioritize young people from environmental justice neighborhoods, low-income communities, federally recognized or state-acknowledged Tribes, and current or former workers from the fossil fuel industry. The CSC provides planning grants to support local initiatives, and implementation grants to launch and enhance the programs. This creates a clear pathway—from recruitment and skill development to hands-on climate service and work experience in permanent career placements.

The launch event was held in conjunction with Greenfield Community College’s HVAC Training Program graduation, underscoring Massachusetts’ focus on linking education and workforce development with real, career-ready opportunities. At the event, attendees toured GCC’s training facilities, engaged with workforce development and industry partners at a resource fair, and joined in celebrating CSC awardees and GCC graduates.

“The Climate Service Corps represents the best of what workforce development can achieve, preparing young people for good-paying, future-focused jobs while advancing Massachusetts’ clean energy goals,” said State Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “By investing in training programs that reach across communities, we are ensuring that our Commonwealth not only leads in climate innovation but also in building a workforce that is strong, diverse, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

“The Climate Service Corps is a smart investment in Massachusetts’ economic future,” said State Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “By aligning workforce training with the state’s clean energy goals, we are strengthening our talent pipeline, supporting innovation, and ensuring the Commonwealth remains a leader in the clean energy economy.”

This year’s Climate Service Corps awardees are:

• City of Boston Office of Workforce Development for PowerCorps Boston (Boston, MA) – $375,000, Implementation Support

  • PowerCorps Boston, created in June 2022, is a 10-month Green Industry Workforce Development Program. It provides young adults with training, career readiness support, and connections to employers in the green industries such as urban forestry and sustainable building operations. CSC funding will support 21 participants focused on building energy efficiency, all of whom will benefit from employer and community-based partnerships and robust wraparound services.

• Coalition for a Better Acre (Lowell, MA) – $50,000, Planning Support

  • CBA will design a CSC program focused on training local young people in sustainable building operations in public and affordable housing in the Greater Lowell area. This program will use local partnerships with the City of Lowell and Lowell Housing Authority to develop a comprehensive program to support a scalable model for future implementation.

• Greenfield Community College (Greenfield, MA) – $374,995, Implementation Support

  • GCC will deliver stackable industry skills training and career readiness activities in energy efficiency and building science occupations to 22 young adults in partnership with MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board and MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center's YouthWorks program. Recruitment will focus on underrepresented communities, and program elements include industry-aligned training and work-based learning through employer partnerships, career pathway planning, and ongoing support as program alumni.

• Worcester Community Action Council (Worcester, MA) – $50,000, Planning Support

  • WCAC will develop a pipeline program, connecting youth directly to clean energy jobs while integrating wrap-around services and case management. Bringing together a planning team consisting of agency staff, youth program participants, representatives of the SMOC Green Jobs Academy, regional workforce board, and clean energy employers, this local execution of the statewide CSC model will draw on local expertise while aligning with program best practices.

For more information on the Climate Service Corps, visit https://www.masscec.com/program/climate-service-corps.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds.

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